Burial vault



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Jam@ E@ vPatented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BURIAL VAULT ration of Ohio Application September 16, 1935, Serial` No. 40,835

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a burial vault of that type for embedding in the ground and to align with the surface of the latter and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vault of the class referred to, which, when employed in casket enclosing position will be perfectly dry and moisture tight.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vault of the class referred to including a body section and a lid section and with the said sections having coacting inherent parts to pro-vide air, moisture and water seals when the vault is employed for burial purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,a vault of the type referred to including a body section, a lid section, a head section in the form of a slab anchored upon and coacting with the latter to 20 provide a dead air chamber and upstanding combined anchoring and sealing means between the body section and lid section and with such means being substantially of zig-zag form having its upper and lower end portions preferably of uniform thickness and its intermediate portion gradually decreasing in thickness from the lower to its upper end. The said means not only permanently securing the body and lid sections together, but further acting to prevent the entrance of moisturewater and air into the casket receiving chamber of the vault.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vault of the class referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled, thoroughly efficient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, 40 the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and are as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modications may be resorted to which wall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the vault,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the vault as embedded in and flush with the surface of the ground,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vsectional view of the vault,

Figure 4 is a vperspective view of the form of coupler element used for detachably connecting to the lid section lowering means therefor, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a modified form of vault.

With reference to Figures l, 2, and 3, the vault includes an open top body section, a flanged lid section and a flat head slab section indicated generally at 6, 'I and 8 respectively. The body section provides a chamber 9 for receiving the casket I0.

The section 6 is of rectangular contour and includes a bottom II, a pair of side walls I2, I3 and a pair of end walls I4, I5. The end walls are disposed at opposite outward inclinations with respect to each other. The side walls are disposed at opposite outward inclinations with respect to each other. The section 6 is formed of a molded body of concrete having embedded therein a rectangular reticulated metallic reinforcement I6 formed of a bottom and upstanding side and end parts. The section 6 has also `embedded in the bottom and side and end walls spaced parallel metallic reinforcing bars I'I arranged outwardly of and abutting the bottom and side and end parts of the reinforcement I6.

The outer faces of each of the walls of section 6 is formed with a lateral rib I8 having a flat upper edge I9. The upper portion 2D of each rib is of uniform width. The lower portion 2I of each rib gradually decreases in width from its point of mergence with portion 20 to its lower end and is of greater height than the portion 20. The ribs I8 on the side walls extend lengthwise of and are of the same length as that of such walls. The ribs I8 on the end walls extend transversely of and are of a length corresponding t0 the width of such walls. The ends of the ribs on the side walls merge into the ends of the ribs on the end walls. The at upper edges I9 of the ribs are interposed between the horizontal median of the section 6 and its upper end.

The lid section 'I is of rectangular contour and is employed for closing the open top of section 6. The lower end of section 'I is of greater length and width than that of the top of section 6. The section "I is formed with an elongated rectangular cavity 2| opening at its upper end. The side walls and the end walls of the cavity are oppositely outwardly inclined. The section 'l is formed of a rectangular lower portion 22, a frusto-tapered intermediate portion 23 and a rectangular upper portion 24. The portion23 is of greater height than portions 22, 24. The portion 24 is of greater length and width than portion 22. The section 'I includes a vertically disposed depending rectangular endless flange 25 which is integral with the lower face of and has Y parallel metallic reinforcing bars 28. Embedded in section 1 outwardly adjacent the reinforcements 26 are spaced parallel reinforcing bars 29. When the lid section 1 is arranged relative to the body section 6, the flange 25 opposes in spaced relation a portion of the outer face of section 6 above the ribs I8. Embedded in and extending outwardly from each of the side stretches of the flange are spaced couplers 38 each including a pair'of threaded stems 3| carrying on their outer `Vends nuts 32 which abut the outer face of the said stretch. Tne; nuts 32 are employed for Y detachably connecting a lid lowering device, not

Shown to the lid section 1. The latter has its sides formed with drain channels 33 for the cavity 2 la. The channels 33 extend downwardly at an inclination from their inner to their outer ends and are arranged in the intermediate and'lowerY portions 23, 24 of section 1. When flange 25 is arranged in encompassing relation with respect to that portion of the outer face of section 6 above thetop edges of the ribs I8 it provides a vertical Y space 34 which gradually decreases in widthrfrom its lower to its upper end.` When the'lid section 1 is arranged in closure position with respect to the open top of section 6 the lower portion 22 Y Vof section 1 seats upon the top edge of section 6 and the bottom edge of flange 25 is spaced from Ythe top edges of the ribs. When the sections 6,

1 are arranged in such position an air tight seal is formed. If water should enter between the ange and ribs the level thereof in space 34 would Vbe near the lower end of the latter and Vprovide a seal.

The head sections is mounted on section 1 and is in the form of a slab 35 of rectangular` contour corresponding in width and length lto that of portion 24 of section 1 which it is supported by. The slab 351s formed ofV a material, such as marbleor granite-which will not deteriorate on account of atmosphere conditions. The slab'may have its upper face provided with any suitable inscription. Thesection 8 is anchored to section 1 by any suitable cementitious material, indicated at 36 arranged on the upper edge parts of the portion 24 of section 1. The section 8 closes the top of and formsin connection with'the cavity 2|a aV dead air chamber for the reception of any moisture from theinterior of the section 6, and also for receiving water which due to some cause may enter the cavity 2|' through between the sections 1, 8. The sections 6, 1 and 8 are to be' embedded in the ground.

Y The sections 1; and; 8 coact to provide a lid structure for closing and sealing the section 6. When the lid structure is mounted in closure position relative to section 6, the upper end thereof Yis to be substantially Aflush with the level of the ground.

With reference to Figure 5 a modification of the vault is shown. This modified form is the same Vin all particulars as the form shown in Figures'l, 2, 3 withY this exception, *thatv there is stretches 44, 46 are of uniform thickness. The i stretch 45 gradually decreases in thickness from its point of mergence and stretch 45 to its point of mergence withstretch 44. The stretch 46 completely lls the tapered space 41 formedbetween the flange 39 and body section 4l. The medium 38 not only anchors sections 4t),V 4| together but further constitutes an air, moisture and water tight seal.

VWhat I claim is: l,

l. In a burial vault aniopen top body section having oppositely outwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, said walls'being formed on their outer faces, below 25- their upper ends with laterallyextending. ribs merging into each other, and ali-d section for closing `said' body section, said lidV section being formed with a depending upstanding endless flange having lits inner face encompassing and 3 opposing in spaced relation the outer face of the body section above said ribs, thatr part of the lower face of said lid section bordering the upper end of said inner face of said flange seated directly upon and throughoutr the top edges of the walls of said body section, and the said'inner face of saidvflange inclining from its lower end to its itsrupper end throughout in a direction towards the walls of said body section.

2. In a burial vault an open top body section having oppositely outwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, said walls being formed on their outer faces, below their upper ends with laterally extending 'ribs merging into each other, yand a lid section for closing said body section, said lid section being formed with a depending upstanding endless 'y flange having its inner face encompassing and opposing in spaced relationV the outer face of the body section above said ribs, that part of theV lower face of said lid section bordering the upper end of the said inner face of said flange seated directly upon and throughout the stop edges of the walls of said body section, the said'inner face of said flange inclining from its lower to its upper end throughout in a direction towards the Y walls of the sai-dbody section, said ribs having flat top edges, and said flange having its bottom edge opposing in spaced relation the top edges of said ribs. Y

V3. In a burial vault an open top body section having oppositelyoutwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, sai-d walls being formed on their outer faces, below their upper ends with laterally extending ribs 65 merging into each other, and a lid section for closing said body section, said lid section being formed with a depending upstanding endless flange having its inner face encompassing and opposing in spacedrelation the outer face of the 7 body section above said ribs, that part of the lower face of said lid borderingV the upper end of the inner face ofrsaid flangeseated directly upon and throughout the top edges ofthe walls of vsaid body section, the inner faceo'f said flange nclin- 5 ing from its lower to its upper end throughout in a direction towards the walls of said body section and coacting with the outer face of the body section above the ribs to form a tapered space therebetween.

4. In a-burial vault an open top body section having oppositely outwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, said walls being formed on their outer faces, below their upper ends with laterally extending ribs merging into each other, and a lid section for closing said body section seated directly upon the upper edge of and, said lid section being formed with a depending upstanding endless iange having its inner face encompassing and opposing in spaced relation the outer face of the body section above said ribs, said lid section including a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion, said lower portion being of greater length and width than that of said body section and said upper portion, said intermediate portion being of frustotapered contour, said body and lid sections for embedding in the ground, and a head section in the form of a slab correspon-ding in width and length to that of said upper portion and anchored to the latter, said head section for embedding in the ground with its upper face exposed to the atmosphere and being formed of a material different from that of said sections and possessing a characteristic to prevent the deterioration thereof by atmospheric conditions.

5. In a burial vault an open top body section having oppositely outwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, said walls being formed on their outer faces, below their upper ends with laterally exten-ding ribs merging into each other, and a lid section seated directly upon the top edge of and for closing said body section, said lid section being formed with a depending upstanding endless flange having its inner face encompassing and opposing in spaced relation the outer face of the body section above said ribs, said lid section including a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion, said lower portion being of greater length and width than that of said body section and said upper portion, said intermediate portion being of frustotapered contour, said body and lid sections for embedding in the ground, and a head section in the form of a slab corresponding in width and length to that of said upper portion and anchored to the latter, said head section for embedding in the ground with its upper face exposed to the atmosphere and being formed of a material diiferent from that of said sections and possessing a characteristic to prevent the deterioration thereof by the atmosphere, said lid section being formed in its upper and intermediate portions with a cavity opening at the top thereof, said head section closing the top of the cavity and forming in connection therewith a dead air chamber for absorbing any moisture from the body section, and said lid section being formed with drainage channels for said chamber arranged in said intermediate and lower portions thereof.

6. In a burial vault an open top body section having oppositely outwardly inclined side walls and oppositely outwardly inclined end walls, said walls being formed in their outer faces, below their upper ends with laterally extending ribs merging into each other, and a lid section having the marginal portions of its lower face seated directly upon and throughout the top edge of and for closing said body section, said lid section being formed at its bottom with a depending upstanding endless flange having its inner face encompassing and opposing in spaced relation the outer face of the body section above said ribs, said ribs having flat top edges, and said iianges having its bottom edge opposing in spaced relation the top edges of said ribs, the inner face of said ange coacting with the outer face of the body section above the ribs to form a tapered space therebetween, and a sealing means having an upper portion interposed between the said sections, a tapered intermediate portion arranged between the body section and flange and a lower portion arranged between the bottom edge of the ange and the top edges of said ribs.

'7. In a burial vault an open top rectangular body section for embedding in the ground having side walls and end walls and lateral ribs on the outer faces of said walls above the bottoms of the walls, disposed lengthwise of the side walls, transversely of the end walls and merging into each other, and a rectangular lid structure having its lower face seated directly upon and throughout the upper edges of and for closing the said open top, said lid section having its lower face of greater length and width than that of said section, said structure being formed at its bottom with a depending endless rectangular ange opposing in spaced relation the outer faces of said walls above said ribs, said flange coacting with the outer faces of said walls to provide a tapered space between said faces and flange, said structure adapted to be embedded in the ground and including a top part in the form of a rectangular slab for exposure to the atmosphere, said slab being formed of a material different from that of the remaining part of the lid structure and possessing a characteristic to prevent the deterioration thereof by atmosphere conditions.

8. In a burial vault an open top rectangular body section for embedding in the ground having side walls and end walls and lateral ribs on the outer faces of said walls above the bottoms of the walls, disposed lengthwise of the side walls, transversely of the end walls and merging into each other, and a rectangular lid structure having its bottom seated directly upon the top edges throughout of said walls for closing the said open top and having its bottom of greater length and width than that of said section, said structure being formed at its bottom with a depending endless rectangular flange opposing in spaced relation the outer faces of said walls above said ribs, said flange coacting with the outer faces of said walls to provide a tapered space between said faces and flange, said structure adapted to be embedded in the ground and including a top part in the form of a rectangular slab for exposure to the atmosphere and possessing a characteristic to prevent the deterioration thereof by atmosphere conditions, and said structure below said top part being formed with a dead air chamber for collecting moisture, and said structure being provided with downwardly inclined drainage channels for said chamber.

9. In a burial vault, an open top rectangular body section having an endless rib on its outer periphery below its top, a rectangular lid structure including a lower portion of greater length and Width than said body section, said lower portion seated directly upon the top edge of said body section and extended laterally from the latter,

said lower portion being formed With a depending endless iiange opposing in spaced relation the outer face of said body section above said rib,

said structure including an intermediate portion of less length and width than that of said lower portion and an upper portion corresponding in length and Width to the top of said intermediate portion, said structure being formed in said upper and intermediate portions Vwith a cavity, said structure including a top part in the form of a rectangular slab corresponding in Width and length to and secured to saidY upper portion for closing said cavity and forming,` in connection with the cavity, a dead air space, said slab being of material different from that of said lid structure and body section and possessing a characteristic to prevent the deterioration thereof by 'atmospheric conditions, and said lid structure for embedding in the ground With the slab thereof exposed to the atmosphere.

EDWIN F. NTCKOL. 

